GEOG 325 : The Human Dimension of Disasters
Science
2025 Summer School (1250) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This 15-point course provides an overview of the human dimension of disasters. It covers crucial concepts and theories, vulnerability and the causes of disasters, people’s capacities and response to disasters, disaster risk reduction and management and post-disaster recovery. The course also emphasises the policy and practical outcomes of theoretical debates. Discussions draw upon examples and case studies from throughout the world with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and marginalised areas and communities. This course is based around lectures and participatory activities which actively involve the students in the learning process. Tutorials provide additional insights through video games and role games. Furthermore case studies will be used often to illustrate theoretical and methodological discussions. A treasure hunt throughout Auckland provides the students with a first-hand experience in dealing with potential disasters and associated social issues. Note that attending classes is essential to performing well in this course.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
Learning Outcomes
- Use the right concepts in the right place (Capability 1 and 2)
- Demonstrate an understanding of why disasters occur and why their impact is unequal (Capability 1 and 2)
- Master the main principles of sustainable disaster risk reduction and management (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Recognise the main tools for policy and practice related to disaster risk reduction and management, and post-disaster recovery (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Provide concrete, articulate and varied examples of disasters, their cause, their impact, and the remedial measures which have been considered in response (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Treasure hunt | 30% | Group Coursework |
| Poster | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Mid-summer school test | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Creative assessment | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Participation | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Treasure hunt | ||||||||||
| Poster | ||||||||||
| Mid-summer school test | ||||||||||
| Creative assessment | ||||||||||
| Participation | ||||||||||
Special Requirements
The course includes two half-day 'field trips': the final stage of the treasure hunt in Auckland CBD and a 2h class on a nearby beach. Some classes will also be held in different outdoor locations around the campus.
Tuākana
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures and 6 hours of tutorials.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures held in the theatre will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and classes held outdoor will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the mid-summer school test and creative assessment.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
All required readings and listenings will be available from the library or online.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
The course also relies on students' in-class assessment of their own expectations at the beginning of, mid-way through and at the end of the summer school.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.